Method for installing details onto a headliner for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A headliner assembly apparatus includes an input delivery device attempting to deliver an input related to a predetermined headliner to a controller that is in communication with the input delivery device. An indexing assembly is in communication with the controller, wherein the indexing assembly positions at least one headliner detail in an installation position in response to the input related to the predetermined headliner. A headliner support is adapted to position the predetermined headliner, wherein the predetermined headliner is placed on the indexing assembly, and wherein the headliner is placed to engage the at least one headliner detail in the installation position. A detail installing assembly couples the at least one headliner detail in the installation position to the predetermined headliner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/260,924 filed Apr. 24, 2014, entitled FLEXIBLE HEADLINER ASSEMBLYTABLE, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to vehicle headliners, and morespecifically, a flexible headliner assembly table for manufacturingheadliners for various vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most vehicles include a headliner where various headliner details areincorporated within the headliner. These headliner details can includevisors, rearview mirrors, consoles, handles, as well as other similardetails. Generally, the headliner details are installed within theheadliner before the headliner assembly is installed into the vehicleduring manufacturing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a headliner assemblyapparatus includes an input delivery device adapted to deliver an inputrelated to a predetermined headliner to a controller that is incommunication with the input delivery device. An indexing assembly is incommunication with the controller, wherein the indexing assemblypositions at least one headliner detail in an installation position inresponse to the input related to the predetermined headliner. Aheadliner support is adapted to position the predetermined headliner,wherein the predetermined headliner is placed on the indexing assembly,and wherein the headliner is placed to engage the at least one headlinerdetail in the installation position. A detail installing assemblycouples the at least one headliner detail in the installation positionto the predetermined headliner.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a headlinerassembly apparatus includes a controller adapted to receive an inputregarding a predetermined headliner. An indexing assembly incommunication with the controller is configured to position a detail setin an installation position according to the input. A headliner supportis adapted to position the predetermined headliner onto the detail set.A detail installing assembly couples the predetermined headliner to thedetail set while the detail set is in the installation position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method forinstalling headliner details onto a headliner for a vehicle includes thesteps of providing a headliner for a vehicle and providing acorresponding input associated with the headliner, wherein the inputcorresponds to a receiving portion of the headliner and a detail set tobe coupled to the headliner at the receiving portion. The method alsoincludes providing a headliner assembly apparatus having an inputdelivery device, a controller in communication with the input device, aheadliner support for receiving and positioning the headliner, and anindexing assembly in communication with the controller. An input isdelivered to the controller, wherein the input delivery device deliversthe corresponding input to the controller. At least one headliner detailis disposed on the indexing assembly, wherein the indexing assemblyselectively retains the at least one headliner detail and moves the atleast one headliner detail between a plurality of positions, includingan installation position to define a detail set. The headliner isdelivered to the headliner assembly apparatus, wherein the headliner isdelivered to the headliner support and placed on the detail set. Thedetail set is then coupled to the headliner through a detail installingassembly, wherein the detail set is coupled to the headliner while thedetail set remains in the installation position.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an interior perspective view of a vehicle headliner installedwithin a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the headlinerassembly table showing the headliner being moved toward the headlinerassembly table for installation of the headliner details;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the headliner assembly table of FIG.1 taken along line II-II;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the headlinerassembly table showing the headliner being placed upon the detail setpositioned by the headliner assembly table in the installation position;and

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow diagram of a method for installing headlinerdetails onto a headliner for a vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, reference numeral 10 generally refers to aheadliner assembly apparatus for installing headliner details 12 onto apredetermined headliner 14 manufactured for a vehicle 16 (as shown inFIG. 1), according to one embodiment. The headliner assembly apparatus10 includes an input delivery device 18 adapted to deliver an input 20related to a predetermined headliner 14 to a controller 22 incommunication with the input delivery device 18. An indexing assembly 24is in communication with the controller 22, wherein the indexingassembly 24 positions at least one headliner detail 12 in aninstallation position 26 in response to the input 20 related to thepredetermined headliner 14. A headliner support 28 is adapted toposition the predetermined headliner 14, wherein the predeterminedheadliner 14 is placed on the indexing assembly 24, and wherein thepredetermined headliner 14 is placed to engage the at least oneheadliner detail 12 in the installation position 26. A detail installingassembly 30 couples the at least one headliner detail 12 in theinstallation position 26 to the predetermined headliner 14.

Referring again to FIG. 3, each indexing assembly 24 of the headlinerassembly apparatus 10 includes a plurality of detailing mechanisms 40,wherein each detailing mechanism 40 positions at least one headlinerdetail 12 in the installation position 26. In the various embodiments,the headliner details 12 can include one or more of vehicle visors,vehicle grab handles, headliner consoles, vehicle lamps, garment hooks,air handling vents, audio visual equipment, trim members, as well asother similar details that are installed within the headliner 14 of avehicle 16.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, each detailing mechanism 40 of theheadliner assembly apparatus 10 can include a rotating assembly 42having a plurality of detailing ends 44, wherein each detailing end 44selectively receives one of the headliner details 12. Each of thedetailing ends 44 rotates within the detail mechanism to successivelyposition each of the headliner details 12 into the installation position26. The placement of each of the headliner details 12 into theinstallation position 26 about the rotating assembly 42 is based uponthe input 20 received by the controller 22 related to the predeterminedheadliner 14.

Referring again to FIG. 3, according to the various embodiments, eachrotating assembly 42 can include a plurality of extendable arms 50wherein the detailing end 44 is disposed at the first end 52 of theextendable arm 50 and the second end 54 of the extendable arm 50 isconnected to the central rotating portion 56 of the rotating assembly42. It is contemplated that the indexing assembly 24 of the headlinerassembly apparatus 10 can include one or more detailing mechanisms 40.Each of the detailing mechanisms 40 can include one or more extendablearms 50, each including a detailing end 44 for disposing a headlinerdetail 12 in the installation position 26.

Referring again to FIG. 3, each of the extendable arms 50 of the variousrotating assemblies can include a fixed portion 70 and one or moretelescoping portions 72 that extend from the fixed portion 70 to operatethe detailing end 44 of the extendable arm 50 between retracted andextended positions 74, 76. In various embodiments, it is contemplatedthat the rotating assembly 42 can include a non-telescoping fixed armwith a detailing end 44, wherein the entire rotating assembly 42 of thedetailing mechanism 40 raises and lowers to position the detailing end44 and the headliner detail 12 attached thereto within the installationposition 26 to define a detail set 78. In the various embodiments, inaddition to rotating mechanisms, each detailing mechanism 40 can includevarious alternate assemblies for positioning the headliner details 12within the installation position 26. Such assemblies can include, butare not limited to, individually operable arms, a surface conveyor, orother similar operable assembly that can be adapted to place a headlinerdetail 12 within the installation position 26.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, each detailing mechanism 40 of theindexing assembly 24 can include a detail delivery apparatus 90, whereinthe various headliner details 12 to be placed in the installationposition 26 are delivered to the detailing mechanism 40. In this manner,the input 20 corresponding to the predetermined headliner 14 isdelivered to the controller 22, the appropriate headliner details 12 areplaced upon the detail delivery apparatus 90 and positioned within thedetail assembly, such that one of the extendable arms 50 can move to theextended position 76 so that one of the detailing ends 44 canselectively retain the headliner detail 12 within a receiving position100 of the rotating assembly 42, wherein the headliner detail 12 isattached to one of the detailing ends 44 of the rotating assembly 42. Inthe various embodiments, the detail delivery apparatus 90 can includevarious mechanisms that can include, but are not limited to, conveyorbelts, sliding assemblies, operable arms or other similar deliverymechanisms. It is further contemplated that the headliner details 12 canbe placed within the detailing mechanism 40 by hand without the use oftools.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the headliner assembly apparatus 10 caninclude an indexing assembly 24 containing various detailing mechanisms40 that are positioned about the headliner assembly apparatus 10. Inthis manner, each detailing mechanism 40 is positioned in an approximatelocation relative to the position of various headliner details 12 thatwill be installed onto the headliner 14 that will be placed upon theheadliner assembly apparatus 10. According to the various embodiments,when the controller 22 receives an input 20 regarding a predeterminedheadliner 14, the various detailing mechanisms 40 of the indexingassembly 24 receives predetermined headliner details 12 to be placed inthe installation position 26 based upon the input 20 received by thecontroller 22. In the various embodiments, the predetermined headlinerdetails 12 related to the predetermined headliner 14 corresponds tothose headliner details 12 that will be installed upon a particularheadliner 14. In this manner, the headliner assembly apparatus 10 can beused to manufacture headliners 14 for any one of several makes andmodels of vehicles. Accordingly, individual assembly lines dedicated tomanufacturing one type of headliner may not be needed. It iscontemplated that each of the detailing mechanisms 40 of the indexingassembly 24 can moved along the x-, y- and z-axes to position thedetailing end 44 of each rotating assembly 42 within any number ofinstallation positions 26 corresponding to the predetermined headliner14.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, it is contemplated that the headlinersupports 28 for the headliner assembly apparatus 10 can include aplurality of operable members 110 that cooperatively position thepredetermined headliner 14 to engage the respective detail set 78 in theinstallation position 26. The predetermined headliner 14 can include areceiving portion 112 to which the detail set 78 is coupled. Theoperable members 110 of the headliner assembly apparatus 10 areconfigured to manipulate the predetermined headliner 14 to place thereceiving portion 112 of the predetermined headliner 14 onto the detailset 78 disposed in the installation position 26. In this manner, theheadliner supports 28 of the headliner assembly apparatus 10 areconfigured to receive the predetermined headliner 14 from any one ofvarious headliner delivery mechanisms. Once received on the headlinersupports 28, the headliner supports 28 are adapted to make variousadjustments in any one or more of the x, y or z directions to positionthe receiving portion 112 of the predetermined headliner 14 onto to thedetail set 78. In this manner, the detail set 78 remains in its fixedposition while the headliner 14 is placed upon the detail set 78 and thedetail set 78 is installed thereto.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 4, it is contemplated that the headlinersupports 28 can include a recess 114 for receiving a correspondingprotrusion 116 disposed upon the bottom surface 118 of the predeterminedheadliner 14, wherein the protrusion 116 of the predetermined headliner14 engages the recess 114 of the headliner support 28 to specificallyposition the predetermined headliner 14 upon the headliner supports 28.It is contemplated that, in various embodiments, the headliner supports28 can include a protrusion 116 and the recess 114 can be defined withinthe predetermined headliner 14. It is further contemplated that theheadliner supports 28 can engage the predetermined headliner 14 throughvarious other temporary attachment mechanisms that include, but are notlimited to, magnets, hook and loop, mating surfaces, or other similartemporary attachment mechanisms. It is also contemplated that theheadliner supports 28 and predetermined headliner 14 do not include anytype of protrusion 116 and recess 114, or other interference-typemechanism to assist in positioning the predetermined headliner 14 uponthe headliner support 28. In such an embodiment, the predeterminedheadliner 14 is placed upon the headliner supports 28 and the headlinersupport 28 moves the predetermined headliner 14 to the appropriateposition such that the receiving portion 112 of the predeterminedheadliner 14 is placed upon the detail set 78 disposed in theinstallation position 26.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-4, once the receiving portion 112 of thepredetermined headliner 14 is placed upon the detail set 78 in theinstallation position 26, the detail installing assembly 30 couples thedetail set 78 to the headliner 14. In the various embodiments, thedetail installing assembly 30 can include a plurality of attachingfixtures 130, wherein each of the plurality of attaching fixtures 130corresponds to a respective headliner detail 12. Each of the pluralityof attaching fixtures 130 is configured to at least partially couple therespective headliner detail 12 to the receiving portion 112 of thepredetermined headliner 14. The attaching fixtures 130 can be any one ofvarious mechanisms that can include, but are not limited to, bolts,screws, latching mechanisms, a receptacle for receiving the headlinerdetail 12, or other similar connecting assembly that is configured toattach the headliner detail 12 to the headliner 14. In the variousembodiments, it is contemplated that a separate attaching fixture 130can be coupled with the receiving portion 112 of a predeterminedheadliner 14 before the predetermined headliner 14 is placed upon thedetail set 78 in the installation position 26. It is furthercontemplated that each predetermined headliner 14 can include one ormore contoured portions 132 that are configured to receive eachheadliner detail 12 within a particular detail set 78. In this manner,the contoured portion 132 of the predetermined headliner 14 isconfigured to receive each headliner detail 12 such that the headlinerdetail 12 is substantially flush with the remainder of the predeterminedheadliner 14 or such that the headliner detail 12 substantially conformsto the area surrounding the contoured portion 132 of the predeterminedheadliner 14. It is further contemplated that the contoured portions 132of the predetermined headliner 14 can be further implemented tospecifically position the predetermined headliner 14 upon the detail set78 to properly locate the predetermined headliner 14 for installation ofthe detail set 78 within the contoured portions 132 of the predeterminedheadliner 14.

In the various embodiments, the detail installing assembly 30 caninclude a plurality of installing mechanisms, each corresponding to oneor more of the detailing mechanisms 40 of the indexing assembly 24. Inthis manner, the detail installing assembly 30 can be adapted tosimultaneously install an entire detail set 78 to the predeterminedheadliner 14 at one time.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-4, the input delivery device 18 of theheadliner assembly apparatus 10 is configured to deliver a plurality ofinputs 20 to the controller 22. Each of the plurality of inputs 20delivered to the controller 22 corresponds to a respective predeterminedheadliner 14 and a corresponding set of headliner details 12 that is tobe placed in an installation position 26 and installed within therespective predetermined headliner 14. Each detail set 78 is defined bythe detailing mechanism 40 placing at least one headliner detail 12 inthe corresponding installation position 26 relating to the respectivepredetermined headliner 14. In this manner, when the input deliverydevice 18 receives an input 20 corresponding to a predeterminedheadliner 14, the controller 22 directs the detail delivery apparatus 90to deliver specific headliner details 12 to the various detailingmechanisms 40 of the indexing assembly 24. The rotating assemblies ofthe various detailing mechanisms 40 move the detailing ends 44 to thereceiving position 100 to receive each of the headliner details 12 thatcorrespond to the input 20 received by the controller 22. The detailingends 44 of each of the rotating assemblies 42 are then moved to theinstallation position 26 where the detail set 78 is defined by eachheadliner detail 12 being disposed in the installation position 26. Thepredetermined headliner 14 is then placed upon the headliner assemblyapparatus 10 such that the receiving portions 112 of the predeterminedheadliner 14 are placed in the appropriate location upon the detail set78 such that each of the headliner details 12 that make up the detailset 78 need not be moved from the installation position 26 duringattachment to the predetermined headliner 14. Once the predeterminedheadliner 14 is properly located, the detail installing assembly 30couples the appropriate attaching fixture 130 to each respectiveheadliner detail 12 of the detail set 78 and couples the detail set 78to the predetermined headliner 14. Each of these series of commands canbe directed at least partially by the controller 22 as instructed by theinput 20 received by the controller 22 from the input delivery device18. This process is repeated for each of the plurality of inputs 20received by the controller 22 from the input delivery device 18.

Referring again to FIG. 2, in the various embodiments, the inputdelivery device 18 can be an indicia scanner, wherein each predeterminedheadliner 14 includes a corresponding indicia 140 that relates to thepredetermined headliner 14 and a corresponding detail set 78. In thismanner, each predetermined headliner 14 can includes various indicia140, including, but not limited to, a bar code, matrix bar code,text-based code, graphic images, or other similar types of indicia 140.The input delivery device 18, according to the various embodiments, is ascanner capable of reading the various indicia 140 placed upon each ofthe predetermined headliners 14, or otherwise read by the input deliverydevice 18. The indicia 140 instructs the input delivery device 18 todeliver the input 20 related to the predetermined headliner 14 to thecontroller 22.

Referring now to FIG. 5, having described the various embodiments of theheadliner assembly apparatus 10, as described above, a method 500 isdisclosed for installing headliner details 12 onto a predeterminedheadliner 14 for vehicle 16. The method 500 can include providing apredetermined headliner 14 for a vehicle 16 (step 502). According to thevarious embodiments, the predetermined headliner 14 can include areceiving portion 112 that is configured to receive at least oneheadliner detail 12. It is contemplated that each receiving portion 112can include a contoured portion 132 that is adapted to align eachheadliner detail 12 within the receiving portion 112 of thepredetermined headliner 14. According to the various embodiments, thepredetermined headliner 14 can be a headliner 14 for any one of numerousvehicles. Accordingly, a single headliner assembly apparatus 10 can beconfigured to manufacture several different headliners 14 for a varietyof vehicles.

Referring again to FIG. 5, according to another step of the method 500,a corresponding input 20 associated with the predetermined headliner 14is provided, wherein the input 20 corresponds to a receiving portion 112of the predetermined headliner 14 in a corresponding detail set 78 to becoupled to the headliner 14 at the receiving portion 112 (step 504). Asdiscussed above, each of the predetermined headliners 14 includes one ormore indicia 140 that are configured to be scanned or otherwise read byan input delivery device 18 of the headliner assembly apparatus 10. Theindicia 140 scanned by the input delivery device 18 instructs the inputdelivery device 18 to deliver an input 20 corresponding to thepredetermined headliner 14 to the controller 22. The input 20 deliveredto the controller 22 corresponds to a predetermined headliner 14, apredetermined detail set 78, a predetermined set of attaching fixtures130, a predetermined installation position 26, a predetermined positionfor the headliner supports 28, a predetermined position and movementpattern for the detail installing assembly 30, and other variousinstructions and alignments for various portions of the headlinerassembly apparatus 10 as well as various operations engaged by theheadliner assembly apparatus 10 during manufacture of the predeterminedheadliner 14.

As shown in FIG. 5, the method 500 also includes providing a headlinerassembly apparatus 10 having an input delivery device 18, a controller22 in communication with the input delivery device 18, a headlinersupport 28 for receiving and positioning the headliner 14, and anindexing assembly 24, for communicating with the controller 22 (step506). As discussed above, various portions of the headliner assemblyapparatus 10, including the headliner support 28 and indexing assembly24, are operable within the headliner assembly apparatus 10 forpositioning the various headliner details 12 within the installationposition 26 to define the detail set 78 and also for positioning theheadliner 14 upon the detail set 78 for installation of the variousheadliner details 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, another step of the method 500 includesdelivering an input 20 to the controller 22, wherein the input deliverydevice 18 delivers the corresponding inputs 20 to the controller 22(step 508). According to the method 500, once the indicia 140 of thepredetermined headliner 14 are scanned by the input delivery device 18,the input delivery device 18 delivers the appropriate correspondinginputs 20 to the controller 22 relating to the predetermined headliner14. In this manner, the input delivery device 18 can scan a plurality ofindicia 140 corresponding to a respective plurality of predeterminedheadliners 14 such that the headliner assembly apparatus 10 prepares todispose each of the predetermined set of headliner details 12 into theinstallation position 26 corresponding to the appropriate predeterminedheadliner 14. It is contemplated that each of the detailing mechanisms40 of the indexing assembly 24 can include a plurality of detailedstaging areas wherein several headliner details 12 are placed proximateto the detailing mechanism 40 such that when the predetermined headliner14 corresponding to one of the headliner details 12 disposed in thestaging area is proximate the headliner assembly apparatus 10, theappropriate headliner detail 12 can be placed within the detailingmechanisms 40 such that the detailing end 44 of the rotating assembly 42can be moved into the receiving position 100 to receive the appropriateheadliner detail 12 for the corresponding predetermined headliner 14.The various staging areas of the detailing mechanisms 40 of theheadliner assembly apparatus 10 are configured to allow the headlinerassembly apparatus 10 to continuously manufacture a series ofpredetermined headliners 14 without interruption due to waiting foreither the predetermined headliner 14 or one of the headliner details 12to be placed in the appropriate position for installation on thepredetermined headliner 14.

Referring again to FIG. 5, another step of the method 500 includesdisposing a predetermined set of headliner details 12 on the indexingassembly 24, wherein the indexing assembly 24 selectively retains theset of headliner details 12 and moves the headliner details 12 between aplurality of positions (step 510). The various positions can include areceiving position 100 wherein a detailing end 44 of the rotatingassembly 42 receives the various headliner details 12, and rotates theheadliner details 12 to the installation position 26 to define thedetail set 78. The various rotating assemblies 42 can move eachheadliner detail 12 to a variety of positions between the receivingposition 100 and the installation position 26, such as variousintermediary positions wherein the corresponding predetermined headliner14 is approaching the headliner assembly apparatus 10 to be placed uponthe headliner supports 28.

In the various embodiments, the rotating assembly 42 can include aplurality of extendable arms 50 wherein the extendable arms 50 rotateabout a central axis to define the various positions of the detailingend 44 of the rotating assembly 42. When one of the extendable arms 50of the rotating assembly 42 is disposed within the receiving position100, the detailing end 44 is positioned to receive a headliner detail12. Another end of the extendable arm 50 of the rotating assembly 42 canbe disposed within the installation position 26, wherein the detail set78 is being installed upon the corresponding predetermined headliner 14.Additional extendable arms 50 can be disposed within variousintermediary positions either preparing to place a headliner detail 12within the installation position 26, or preparing to move into thereceiving position 100 to receive a headliner detail 12.

Once the set of headliner details 12 are disposed within the indexingassembly 24, another step in the method 500 includes positioning the setof headliner details 12 in the installation position 26 to define thedetail set 78 that corresponds to the receiving portion 112 of thepredetermined headliner 14 (step 512). In this manner, the variousheadliner details 12 are disposed within the installation position 26before the arrival of the corresponding predetermined headliner 14.Accordingly, once the predetermined headliner 14 is placed upon thedetail set 78, each of the headliner details 12 is simultaneously readyfor installation upon the predetermined headliner 14.

Once the headliner details 12 are placed within the installationposition 26 to define the detail set 78, the method 500 also includesthe step of delivering the predetermined headliner 14 to the headlinerassembly apparatus 10, wherein the predetermined headliner 14 isdelivered to the headliner support 28 and placed on the detail set 78(step 514). As discussed above, the headliner support 28 of theheadliner assembly apparatus 10 is configured to move the predeterminedheadliner 14 either in fine or large incremental movements toappropriately position the receiving portion 112 of the predeterminedheadliner 14 onto the detail set 78.

Referring again to FIG. 5, once the headliner 14 is positioned such thatthe receiving portion 112 of the predetermined headliner 14 is placedupon the detail set 78, the method 500 further includes coupling thedetail set 78 to the headliner 14 through a detail installing assembly30. In this manner, the detail set 78 is coupled to the predeterminedheadliner 14 while a detail set 78 remains in the installation position26 (step 516). In the various embodiments, the headliner assemblyapparatus 10 can include a platform-type assembly wherein variousportions of the indexing assembly 24 and headliner support 28 arecoupled to the platform assembly. In various alternate embodiments, thevarious portions of the headliner assembly apparatus 10 can be attachedto the floor or other portion of the structure within which theheadliner 14 is manufactured, and without the presence of a platform orother intermediary supporting structure. Where a platform, table, orother similar structure is used for the headliner assembly apparatus 10,various mechanical portions of the headliner assembly apparatus 10 canbe contained within the platform or table.

According to the various embodiments, the various positions of theindexing assembly 24, headliner support 28, and other operable portionsof the headliner assembly apparatus 10 need to be preprogrammed suchthat when a particular indicia 140 of a predetermined headliner 14 isscanned, the information relating to the positions of the variousaspects of the headliner assembly apparatus 10 are contained within adatabase for the headliner assembly apparatus 10 such that the scanningof the indicia 140 simply recalls the pre-stored information toconfigure the location of the various aspects of the headliner assemblyapparatus 10. In various alternate embodiments, the indicia 140 relatingto the predetermined headliner 14 can be configured to include all ofthe programming and information necessary to properly align the variousaspects of the headliner assembly apparatus 10, such that preprogrammingof the various positions of the aspects of the headliner assemblyapparatus 10 may not be necessary.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for installing details onto a headlinerfor a vehicle, the method including steps of: providing a correspondingheadliner for a vehicle; providing a corresponding input associated withthe corresponding headliner, wherein the corresponding input relates toa receiving portion of the corresponding headliner and a detail set tobe coupled to the receiving portion; providing a headliner assemblyapparatus having an input delivery device, a controller in communicationwith the input delivery device, a headliner support for receiving andpositioning the corresponding headliner, and an indexing assembly incommunication with the controller; delivering the corresponding input tothe controller, wherein the input delivery device delivers thecorresponding input to the controller; disposing a set of headlinerdetails on the indexing assembly, wherein the indexing assemblyselectively retains the set of headliner details and moves the set ofheadliner details between a plurality of positions; positioning the setof headliner details in an installation position to define the detailset corresponding to the receiving portion of the correspondingheadliner; delivering the corresponding headliner to the headlinerassembly apparatus, wherein the corresponding headliner is delivered tothe headliner support and is placed on the detail set in theinstallation position; and coupling the detail set to the correspondingheadliner through a detail installing assembly, wherein the detail setis coupled to the corresponding headliner while the detail set is in theinstallation position; wherein the set of headliner details includes atleast one headliner detail; the indexing assembly includes a pluralityof detailing mechanisms, wherein each detailing mechanism positions theat least one headliner detail in the installation position; eachdetailing mechanism is a rotating assembly with a plurality of detailingends; each detailing end selectively receives one headliner detail ofthe set of headliner details; and the plurality of detailing ends arerotated about the rotating assembly to successively position the set ofheadliner details into the installation position based upon thecorresponding input related to the corresponding headliner.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the at least one headliner detail includesany one or more of vehicle visors, vehicle grab handles, headlinerconsoles, vehicle lamps, garment hooks, and air handling vents.
 3. Amethod for installing details onto a headliner for a vehicle, the methodincluding steps of: providing an input associated with a correspondingheadliner to a controller; positioning a set of headliner details in aninstallation position to define a detail set corresponding to areceiving portion of the corresponding headliner, the detail set and thereceiving portion corresponding to the input; delivering thecorresponding headliner to the detail set in the installation position;and coupling the detail set to the corresponding headliner while thedetail set is in the installation position; wherein the detail setincludes at least one headliner detail wherein the at least oneheadliner detail includes any one or more of vehicle visors, vehiclegrab handles, headliner consoles, vehicle lamps, garment hooks, and airhandling vents; the detail set is positioned by an indexing assemblythat includes a plurality of detailing mechanisms, wherein eachdetailing mechanism positions at least one headliner detail in theinstallation position; and each detailing mechanism is a rotatingassembly with a plurality of detailing ends, wherein each detailing endof the plurality of detailing ends selectively receives one headlinerdetail of the at least one headliner detail, and wherein the detailingends are rotated about the rotating assembly to successively positionthe one headliner detail into the installation position based upon theinput related to the corresponding headliner.